Developer pushes review of 598-unit project in Quincy

Thursday

QUINCY — A controversial 598-apartment development proposed for the site of the former Quincy Medical Center won't be up for approval until next year after a hearing on the project was postponed.

FoxRock Properties was expected to appear before the planning board for a second site plan review meeting this past Wednesday, but the commercial real estate firm asked that the meeting be pushed back. Planning Director Jim Fatseas said he expects FoxRock will ask to have the project on the agenda for a meeting in January or February.

"I think they had to go back to the drawing board a bit," he said.

FoxRock's proposal for the shuttered hospital and its grounds has been met with strong opposition from residents concerned by the size, density and scale of the proposed apartment buildings as compared to the surrounding neighborhood.

Calls to FoxRock officials were not returned as of Thursday afternoon.

The developer is still expected to appear before the planning board next Wednesday to ask that the 15-acre property to be subdivided, which Fatseas said is a routine request.

"It will assist them in phasing the construction of the project," Fatseas said.

If the planning board approves the project, Fatseas said FoxRock would likely build the new apartments in phases. Subdividing the land allows the developer to protect its land should it run into financial problems at any stage during construction.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock Street in the first-floor committee room.

Reach Erin Tiernan at etiernan@patriotledger.com or 617-786-7320. Follow her on Twitter @ErinTiernan.